Shorts
Let's choose a romper bottom (on braces with a shoulder closure), rather than cut-off shorts at the waist, even with the so-called non-compressive welt. Newborns are born with an imperfect digestive system, therefore any clothes pressing against the abdomen are not recommended for them. At the same time it is important to protect the umbilical cord stumpso that it can dry and fall off without problems, and for this it needs an air supply.
Skarpetki
Useful at any time of the year, they are an indispensable element of a toddler's wardrobe. We must choose socks with a large proportion of cotton in the composition, without welts or with a non-pressing finishing element, with hardly noticeable seams inside. If we prefer patterned socks, it is worth checking whether the internal threads, created in the production process, have been cut so as not to catch the baby's fingers when dressing. From the moment our toddler starts to stand on his feet and begins the difficult process of learning to walk, let's also take care of non-slip elements on the bottom of the socks.
Tights
Try not to use these products in the first 3 months of a child's life - they press on the groin and can irritate the baby's sensitive skin. As it is an element of clothing that adheres to the child's skin, we should choose tights made of yarn with at least 70-80% cotton content - so that they absorb sweat well and do not actually cause irritation. Tights for babies wearing a diaper should be sufficiently wide in the abdomen and fitted with a gusset, with an elastic waistband tucked into a knitted tunnel and flexible enough not to leave red marks on the toddler's body.
Not too big, not too small
Let's remember that clothes closest to the child's skin, from the group of the so-called underwear, must be adjusted to his height - they cannot be too small, because they will limit the baby's natural mobility. They must be larger to ensure freedom of movement, especially for the limbs, but not by two sizes (sizes) too large, because they will not fulfill their warming or sweat-absorbing function.
How to combine clothes for a newborn and a toddler?
Since the types of children's clothes have no secrets for us anymore, the question arises, how to combine clothes for a newborn and a toddler? The answer is simple - we do it very much like dressing ourselves. We wrote about when to use the principle of an extra layer of clothes for a toddler and how to adapt his outfit to the surrounding conditions here. In rooms, our child, in addition to a disposable or reusable diaper, can wear the following sets:
- a t-shirt with a romper,
- a body t-shirt with a jacket / blouse or sweater and rompers, and when the toddler's tummy works more efficiently - shorts,
- a jacket and rompers - a combination that is less popular today, but still usable, known from the times when there were no body shirts that would better support a diaper.
The length of the sleeves of the body shirts in the sets depends on the needs dictated by the season. It is important not to overheat your child - see more tips here.
Types of outer garments for babies
In colder seasons, when going outside with your toddler, we also have to provide him with outerwear.
Petticoat
The best suit is made of natural, breathable materials or synthetic fibers with good thermoregulatory properties, preferably one-piece, easy to fasten and unfasten - with snap or zipper fastening, finished at the top with a flap (blockade) so as not to injure the mouth and neck child. The coverall should have welts around the hand openings, preferably cotton, slightly stretchy. The key is the convenience and ease of putting on - children often get impatient while dressing, so the more efficiently we carry out this operation, the better for all interested parties.
If we choose a polyester coverall, it is good that the lining, i.e. the fabric closest to the child's body, is made of cotton. Coverall, necessarily with a hood, works best in winter and transitional periods (autumn, spring). A practical solution are fingerless gloves attached to the sleeves with short cords or ribbons.
Jacket
This garment is useful at a later date - from a practical point of view, it is not suitable for a newborn or infant. It works best in combination with pants and dresses, when the child is already able to walk and run smoothly. When choosing a jacket, it is worth paying attention to similar elements as described above for the jumpsuit. Each jacket, like a suit, should be equipped with a hood. The features of the perfect hood are:
- appropriate depth - that it is functional, wraps well and does not fall on the eyes at the same time;
- edge without decorative long-haired fur - it not only falls out and often "comes into" the toddler's eyes, but the child can pull it out and, for example, put it in his mouth;
- interior without rough seams;
- cotton lining;
- cut without cords tightening the circumference, due to the danger of strangulation.
Cap
Headgear is important in the newborn period and when you go outside with your baby you have to remember about it - unless the temperature exceeds 20 degrees C and there is no wind. The cap protects the toddler's head against heat loss, protects the neck and ears from external factors (e.g. wind), and at the same time it must be safe for the child, i.e. without strings and ties. A good solution is a non-compressive welt at the edge, thanks to which the cap fits better to the head. From the point of view of functionality and wearing comfort, the appropriate depth of the cap is important.
The thickness of the fabric from which it is made should be adapted to the weather. In the summer, hats must be thin - preferably cotton, in the transition period you will need warmer ones. Hats for colder days for older children can be made of synthetic fibers, such as polyester or acrylic. The size of the hat should reflect the circumference of the head, but we can't always measure it before buying. In turn, manufacturers and retailers often give the size according to height, especially when it comes to products for the youngest babies.
Baby clothes: ingredients and colors
When deciding on the first clothes for your future child, you should take the raw material from which the clothes were sewn under the magnifying glass - it's best to look for those made of cotton (100%) or bamboo, cotton clothes with bamboo are also a good solution. Honest manufacturers use fabrics or knitted fabrics that are safe for newborns and infants, which is confirmed by appropriate approvals. When buying from a source that is not very reliable, we make a "blind" choice. You can find more about the raw material details and the requirements for washing and ironing conditions here.
When choosing clothes for a newborn or infant, let's focus on natural, pastel colors and shades of white - especially underwear that has direct contact with the toddler's body should be as colorful as possible. Such clothes can withstand high washing temperatures more easily, and at the same time are devoid of an excess of potentially allergenic dyes that may have a negative impact on the skin of a newborn (which is not only thinner up to 12 times than the skin of an adult person, but also more sensitive to mechanical abrasions and contained chemicals in clothes).
Baby clothes: what else is worth remembering?
- Clothes and textiles for toddlers, regardless of their type, should be without ornaments that can be easily torn off or otherwise separated - before we know it, they may end up in a toddler's mouth or nose.
- In the case of baby clothes, eye-catching decorative shapes and forms, sewn-in elements, etc. must not hurt a toddler in any way, causing discomfort when lying on the back, side or tummy.
